Next Bolton Manager Odds: Steven Schumacher Favourite To Replace Ian Evatt
Bolton are looking for a new manager after the dismissal of Ian Evatt following a 2-1 home defeat by Charlton.
Evatt spent four and a half years at the helm and betting sites are offering odds on his replacement.
He led the team to promotion from League Two in his debut season, won the EFL Trophy in 2023, and secured a place in the League One play-offs over the last two campaigns.
However, expectations this season haven’t been met, with the team struggling for consistency and results falling short of the promotion ambitions set by the owners.
The club’s board, including chairwoman Sharon Brittan, had publicly supported Evatt, but pressure caused by poor performances and fan discontent led to a change.
The search is now on for a replacement, with Wanderers still within touching distance of the play-off places and almost half of the season remaining.
Schumacher In Contention For Trotters Role
Steven Schumacher is one of the names being considered at the Toughsheet Stadium after the decision to part ways with Evatt.
Schumacher, 40, is without a club after being axed by Stoke back in September, having only been in charge of the Potters for nine months.
With a promotion under his belt at Plymouth the last time he managed in the third tier, Schumacher looks to be a wise choice for the former Premier League side, who sit just one point outside the League One play-off spots.
Schumacher is the 4/6 favourite for the role.
Next Bolton Manager Odds
Manager | Odds | Probability |
Steven Schumacher | 4/6 | |
Rob Page | 4/1 | |
Gary O'Neil | 5/1 | |
Des Buckingham | 8/1 | |
Robbie Fowler | 12/1 | |
Sam Allardyce | 12/1 | |
David Wagner | 20/1 | |
Ryan Lowe | 33/1 | |
Dean Holden | 33/1 | |
Rob Edwards | 33/1 | |
Leam Richardson | 33/1 | |
Claus-Dieter Wollitz | 33/1 |
O'Neil To Swap Wanderers?
It wasn't that long ago that Gary O'Neil was still in football management, but his time as Wolves manager came to an end on December 15.
The Molineux side felt a change of manager would improve their chances of staying up, but Vitor Pereira's side are in the bottom three.
O'Neil might be inclined to swap the Wanderers from Molineux for Bolton and he is 5/1 to do so.
Des To Replicate Oxford Heroics?
Des Buckingham is another being lined up to be Bolton's next manager.
Buckingham was dismissed by Oxford on the same day O'Neil vacated his office at Wolves.
Oxford won promotion to the Championship with Buckingham in charge and Bolton might feel he can do the same for them.
Buckingham is 8/1 to be the next manager of the Trotters.
Reds Legend Robbie Fowler In The Mix
Former Liverpool striker Robbie Fowler is 12/1 with football betting sites to take over at the Toughsheet Community Stadium.
Fowler was last in charge of Al-Qadsiah where he was sacked in October 2023 after just four months in charge despite an unbeaten record of six wins and two draws.
The Saudi second division club were just a point behind the leaders, but the board decided to appoint Spaniard Michel, who has since proved a great success.
Fowler is looking for his first opportunity in England following managerial spells in Thailand, India, Australia and Saudi Arabia.
The Reds legend has reportedly applied for the Trotters vacancy, according to The Mirror, as he looks to prove he can reproduce the success of his playing days in the dugout.
Richardson In The Running
Leam Richardson has experience of gaining promotion from League One with Wigan during the 2021/22 season when they went up as champions.
However, just 16 days after signing a new three-year contract with the Latics, Richardson was sacked after a run of six defeats in seven games saw them drop into the Championship relegation zone.
Richardson returned to the Championship as manager of bottom-of-the-table Rotherham in December 2023, but was unable to save them from the drop.
His reputation took a hit with the Millers, but Wigan fans will not forget what he achieved three seasons ago and it is no surprise to see him 33/1 to make a return to the dugout with a side looking to get back to the Championship.
Lowe Looking For Return
Ryan Lowe (33/1) ended a three-year stint at Preston after just one game of the 2024/25 season having been beaten 2-0 by Sheffield United.
He twice finished in the top half of the Championship table with North End despite financial constraints.
Lowe has probably done enough to earn another shot at management, and though taking over at Bolton would mean moving down to the third-tier of English football, the size of the challenge might just be too tempting to turn down.
Wollitz To Wanderers?
Something of an unknown quantity, German coach Claus-Dieter Wollitz announced back in May 2024 that he would step down as head coach of FC Energie Cottbus when he turned 60.
Having spent three stints with the club, he revealed the plan was to remain as sporting director to oversee their development, especially in youth sectors.
When asked about the chance to manage elsewhere at the end of 2024 he said: "It is possible that it happens. But it is also possible that it remains as it is now," which has led some to believe he is open to other opportunities elsewhere.
Should that opportunity be at Bolton Wanderers, he is 33/1 for the role.
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Page Ready To Write His Next Chapter
Rob Page is bidding his time before accepting his next job in management.
Failure to lead Wales to the European Championship last summer cost Page (4/1) his job.
But he might be ready to get back in the dugout and Bolton could be the challenge he needs right now.
Other names in the frame include Sam Allardyce (12/1), Dean Holden (33/1) and David Wagner (20/1).
